Timur Arsenovich Valiev (born January 19, 1990) is a Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight division of Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA).
Valiev previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Professional Fighters League (PFL).
In the high school he competed in soccer, then at the age of sixteen on the advice of a friend he joined to Wushu Sanda.
[7] Valiev made his professional MMA debut on September 4, 2010, in Portugal at the World Ultimate Full Contact 16 against Olle Raberg of Sweden.
[18] Valiev was expected to face Bekbulat Magomedov on March 18, 2017, at WSOF 35 for vacant Bantamweight title.
However, Valiev pulled out of the fight in the beginning of March citing an elbow injury and was replaced by Donavon Frelow.
[23] Valiev was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Jamall Emmers in a featherweight bout on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs.
[25] Valiev was quickly rescheduled and expected to face fellow newcomer Mark Striegl on August 22, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 15.
[30] However, Arce was removed from the event in late January due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Martin Day.
[35] Valiev faced Jack Shore, replacing Umar Nurmagomedov, on March 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 204.
[40] In the semi-final round, Valiev faced The Ultimate Fighter Season 27 winner Brad Katona, and lost the fight via split decision.